Our Saturday was totally different than any day we have ever experienced on a GRACE Ministries trip. It was definitely a blessed day! To God be the glory!
Our morning worship time had Andrew leading us in musical praise and then Jim Chinners bringing us a word from the Word. Aaron Chinners gave a word of testimony too. It was all good.
We then headed down the hill to prepare for a block party for about 200 of the children/parents from the surrounding area. Clubhouse Guatemala’s team of Fernando, Oso (not special agent), and Alejandro did a great job of hosting the BP for us. We had the jump house, cotton candy, face painting, face stickers, finger nail polishing, bracelets being made, sno cones, balloons, candy, hot dogs, drinks, et cetera. The children and parents really enjoyed themselves as did the members of this team. Lots of smiles and laughter!
This team then went into action getting the building ready and decorated for the dedication service. As promised, Kirk Lightfield got it set up for the entire service to be streamed online. I know that we had folks from Birmingham, Danville, AL, Memphis, and China watch the service.
The dedication service was special as we dedicated the building to the glory of God and officially named it the Jennie Blaukamp Ministry Center. I said that Aunt Jennie (Ken Assink’s aunt) was a godly woman, a giving woman, and a woman who left a good name. This building/ministry will allow Aunt Jennie to touch numerous lives for years to come in her name and to the glory of God!
We also named the kitchen in the JBMC in memory of Susan Blackmon Quinn. What a joy to have Susan’s mother with us on this trip. I said that Susan was a compassionate young woman and she was most content when she was helping others. Her company honored her memory with a financial gift after her passing and her mother wanted it to be used in the construction of this ministry center. Susan would be proud of what is taking place inside the four walls of this building.
Each of the forty children was presented with a backpack, school supplies, and a new pair of shoes. They presented a skit called “He’s Alive” and sang a couple of songs. Two of the mothers gave testimony about the impact the ministry center has had on the lives of their children. God has blessed us with a wonderful group of forty children! We are thankful!
Likewise, we are thankful to each person who prays and gives to this new ministry of feeding the children. You are a blessing!
Back to the team – several of our guys also built the doors and windows for the twenty houses we are building on this trip. They did that in between the BP and the dedication service.
In closing, if you ever need someone to collect the trash at a function, do not ask Andrew Watkins or Conrad Meekhof to do the honors unless you want a bunch of dogs – enough said!
Thanks for checking on us. Thanks for praying!
P.S. – The dedication service is available online. If interested, contact me for the link. Thanks!